Suspect charged in State Fair craft beer exhibit robbery

A 20-year-old man faces federal charges in last month's armed robbery of a beer exhibit at the Minnesota State Fair.

Antonio Washington is charged with committing a Hobbs Act robbery and using a firearm in a crime of violence.

According to the criminal complaint, Washington entered the fair's Agriculture Horticulture Building on Aug. 29 after the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild exhibit was closed for the day and pointed a gun at the head of one of the victims.

The complaint says Washington and an accomplice used duct tape to bind the victims to chairs in the office before filling bags with the day's proceeds of about $104,000.

Washington was arrested Wednesday. Authorities have recovered a gun believed used in the robbery.

The U.S. Attorney's office says the investigation continues.

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